The 1924 American auto racing season centered on the AAA National Championship, the premier series in the country. Jimmy Murphy dominated through consistent results on dirt ovals and board tracks, clinching the championship before the season ended. Tragically, Murphy was killed in a September race at Syracuse, making him the only driver to win the AAA National Championship posthumously. The Indianapolis 500 was won by L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer, who shared driving duties in a Duesenberg. Another notable loss came later in the season at Altoona Speedway, where Joe Boyer died in a racing accident, highlighting the dangers of the era.
The board-track scene in 1924 was at a crossroads. While older tracks had closed, the opening of the Culver City and Charlotte Speedways showed continued confidence in wooden ovals. Active tracks such as Altoona and Kansas City hosted major events, and manufacturers like Duesenberg, Miller, and Frontenac continued to push technical innovation.
Grand Prix racing in Europe remained fragmented, with no unified championship. Standalone events like the French Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix emphasized national prestige and manufacturer rivalry. Fiat led the field with powerful straight-eight cars, while Bugatti refined lightweight designs for speed and agility. Endurance racing also grew in prominence, especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where reliability and efficiency increasingly influenced outcomes.
